Chubarov: releasing political prisoners and not selling crops should be our goal

In an exclusive interview with QHA, Refat Chubarove shared his thoughts on the food and energy blockade of Crimea.

KIEV (QHA) -

In an interview with QHA, Refat Chubarov, Mejlis Chairman and Ukrainian MP, said that the question of imposing an energy blockade depends on a number of factors. According to him, there will be more clarity about this by the end of October.

“We do not rule out that the relations between Ukraine and Russia may deteriorate to such an extent that Ukraine will be forced to deliver any supplies to the Russian-occupied territories in a completely different way,” said Chubarov.

Talking on delivering supplies by sea in circumvention of the blockade Chubarov said:

“All the relevant services and marine carriers deny the possibility of something like that happening. One should also bear in mind the fact that very soon delivering cargoes by see will become too dangerous and difficult due to unfavorable weather conditions”.

When asked how he feels about statements made by some politicians and political experts that Ukrainian farmers should have been given a chance to sell their crop before the blockade was put in place, Chubarov was quite upfront:

“We are not going to let those interested in enriching themselves continue to do business with annexed Crimea. Our major reason for imposing a blockade was to help people held in FSS prisons, as well as those whose houses get raided by Russian security services on a daily basis, and not assist somebody in selling their crop.”